Atwater's preserves win national food award

You might know Atwater's best for its breads and soups, but it was its preserves that won a national food award.

Atwater's pear and star anise and its plum and vanilla bean preserves were announced as winners at the third annual Good Food Awards ceremony, held last Friday at San Francisco's Ferry Building.

The preserves, which are only available, for now, at Atwater's Catonsville location, were among 114 winners from 30 states but the only one from Maryland.

The Good Food Awards were created through a collaboration of food producers, farmers, food journalists and independent grocers. Judges from across the country selected the winners. Awards are given in nine categories -- in addition to preserves, beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, confections, coffee, pickles and spirits.